John 15:1

Jesus, I praise you as the True Vine, my source of all spiritual power and eternal fruitfulness. (15:1) 

I got the notes from Katharine. Thank You, Lord. Now I can move forward. But only in Your strength. Please Lord don't let me forget You. I need You desperately. I need to stay with the Vine.

I pray that You will fill me with ideas and creative energy to forge on and make the book into the story You want it to be.

I pray for Lee, for his physical health, for his emotional health. I pray for his restlessness, that You would bring him peace. 

I ask...to know You better. To not just be talking to You but to hear You communicating with me and to feel Your love for me. 

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

Psalm 5:3

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. — Psalm 5:3


My last morning with the sweet, precious, lovely children in the Young 3's class! I am so grateful for them and loved them. Lord, thank You. I pray that each one will grow to know You and to walk with You through their lives. 

I pray the same for my own, sweet, wonderful Isabel and Lily. That Your hand would always be on them, and never let them go. 

I pray that all the negative thoughts that bombard me at Leaders Circle will recede as I focus on You and You alone. I want to surrender, to lay down my own will and follow Yours. Please show me the way!

I pray for each child today:

Joshua, Peyton, Victor, Charlie, Ryder, Israel, Elizabeth, Savannah, London, Katie, Holly, and Hannah. 

They are Your children. I pray that I might joyfully I serve You by caring for them one more time. Thank You!!!!!

I pray for Lee, that You will bless him at work and heal him spiritually, physically, emotionally and restore his self-esteem. Please show me my part in that.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

Acts 4:28

They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. — Acts 4:28


Lord, You are before all things, and in You all things hold together. Your will and Your power. I pray that You would draw me back to You. My thoughts to You.

I pray for Abigail, who I am meeting for coffee. I pray that You will bless her and her family. I pray that we will focus on You.

I feel like my faith is STILL so weak despite all the training. I am so full of selfishness and insecurity. Help.

I pray for my children today as they are at school. Please, please bless them and keep them safe, and I pray for Your protection over them, always.

I pray for Lee. Show me how to  lift him up.

I pray for Dad, that You will help. And for Mom, thank You for her.

And for Sara and Andy and their precious baby Max.

I pray for Leigh's mom.

1 Timothy 1:17-19

"Command those who are richb in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,c which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,d who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.e 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,f and to be generous and willing to share.g 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselvesh as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold ofi the life that is truly life."

Lord, the life that is truly life is life lived with You. I pray that I would keep my eyes focused on You. I pray that You would guide me forward. I pray that I would not look to my left or my right, but up.

I pray for Katharine as she reads my book. I pray that You will work through her.

I pray for Lee, that things will get better at work.

I pray for Isabel and Lily, as they take the math portion of the GA Milestones test today. You are supreme, and Your Holy Spirit is at work. I thank You for everything.

Please guide me in how to spend my time while I wait.

In Your son's precious name I pray,
Amen

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:13


Lord, I am lost and confused through reading Revelation 21. I don't know what to think. But I do know that Your character, as explained throughout the Bible, is love. You ARE love. 

Lord, I am tired of BSF women who are so dumb. I want to be surrounded by people like Anne Lamott. On the other hand, I can't deny the words of the Bible. This leads me to feel very confused and torn. 

I want to give this all to You. I pray that You will take this confusion away, or guide me through it. I want to have a strong faith in You, unshakeable. Lord, I pray that I will experience Your presence, know that I'm loved, know that You have a plan and a purpose for my life.

I pray for Katharine as she's promised to finally read my book this week. I'm so confused I don't even know what to pray anymore. So I will pray this: Whatever Your will is, Lord. I pray that You will use me in whatever way Your will prescribes. You know it's my heart's desire to be a novelist, and to write about You. But You are in charge, in control, and I am Your child. I continue to wait on You, with hope.

I pray for those people in my life who may be inclined to reject You. You know who they are. I pray for them, Lord. I pray that You would draw them to You, soften their hearts, save them. Rescue them from themselves. Soften my heart to them, and show me how You would use me, if You would use me.

I pray for Isabel and Lily during this testing week, that Your spirit of wisdom would hover over them as they take their tests.

I pray for Mom and Dad's health.

I pray for Lee's job. Lord, I don't know what's going on, but he is so stressed to the point of illness. Lord, please, I beg You to step in and help Lee, and show me how I might help him. What can I do to make things better? I pray that You would heap blessings upon him at work.

In Your son's precious name I pray,

Amen

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all [contemplate and] reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Lord Jesus, I need Your grace more than ever. I am so offended and irritated by the children I came across at Driftwood, and I am so frustrated for Isabel, who along with Lily is my heart.

I'm sorry that I wasn't kinder and more helpful, that I was judgmental, that I complained. Even as I was doing it, and knowing it was wrong, I was too angry and frustrated to change. I want to be better. I want to be transformed into Your likeness. It's so hard, Lord, when I'm sleep-deprived. It's so hard when my racing mind and fast-beating heart won't let me sleep. I worried that would happen, and it did, self-fulfilling prophecy.

With unveiled face I contemplate and reflect Your glory. You kept me healthy--I didn't come down with illness like I thought I might. You had me right there with Isabel, so she didn't have to deal with loneliness and those hateful girls by herself. The situation wasn't ideal--this world isn't--but You provided me for her, and You provided health for me. It was just enough to get me through.

Thank You for the bonding time with Jodi and Lauren. Thank You for the little things, like Isabel seeing how much I love her. Thank You for the gorgeous weather, and for getting us there and back safely. Thank You for the beautiful world You created, and the glimpse we got of it at Cumberland Island.

Thank You for my wonderful husband, who was so good with Lily while I was away. Thank You for everything he did for me in  my absence. Please show me how I can be a good wife to him, and please bless him at work, Lord.

In Your son's name I pray,
Amen

1 Corinthians 4:1

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servantsx of Christ and as those entrustedy with the mysteriesz God has revealed. 

Lord, I am Your servant. Show me Your way. I pray that You will use me at Driftwood, preserve my health so that I'll be of use to You! I pray that You will equip me and give me opportunities to show Your love to others.

I pray for peace about the Driftwood trip. I pray that I will trust You, and rest in You, whatever You have planned for me. I pray that I will go forth in Your strength and remember You.

I pray that Katharine will read Your book. I pray that You will guide the process forward, and that Your book will be published and find just the right audience. I pray that I will get out of Your way, and allow You to do what You're going to do.

I pray for people who desperately need You right now:

Katharine's cousin

Leigh's mother Donna

Cindy's son

Linda's son Jonathan

Kitty

I pray for Lee, that You would pour blessings upon him at work.

I pray for my children, that You would draw them to You and show me how I've been remiss about teaching them and show me the way forward in showing them Your love.

I pray for the VBS skits that I'm planning to finish today.

I pray that You would send Your spirit to hover over me, as I am Your servant.

In Your son's precious name I pray,

Amen

Galatians 3:11

The righteous will live by faith.
Galatians 3:11

Lord, I want to keep my eyes trained on You, and yet they are so tempted to stray! To my to-do list, to the trip I'm chaperoning, to my book, to the VBS skits I'm writing, to articles in the NYTimes.

I pray that You will redirect me when I look away.

I pray today for Katharine's cousin, for healing and spiritual healing.
I pray for Donna's son and for Donna, that You would show them both the way forward.
I pray for Leigh's mother, for healing, and for Your love and Your spirit to hover over Leigh and her family as she tries to help.

I pray for Sara and sweet little baby Max, that You would protect them and watch over them.

I pray for Isabel and Lily, that I would be able to teach them and raise them up to love You.

I pray for Amy Moor, that You would heal her and that she would know you are near her throughout her post-divorce days.

I pray for Isabel and her relationship with Hannah Moulton, that Your love would triumph, and that their friendship might resume.

I pray for my health and for Isabel's health in these days leading up to Driftwood. I pray for Driftwood, that You would use me powerfully as a light, following Your light.

In Your son's name I pray,
Amen

Psalm 3:8

From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

Lord, I ask for Your blessing as I do my best to bless others today. I pray that You will use me to love and care for each of the children in my group: Katie, Savannah, London, Hannah, Holly, Victor, Ryder, Joshua, Charlie, Izzy, Howie, Peyton and Elizabeth.

I pray for Cindy Moran's son, and for Cindy herself, that they would both focus their eyes on You, and that Your abundant and abounding love would envelop them. I pray the same for Leigh and for her mother Donna. I pray for healing for Donna and for Your peace.

I pray for Dad, that he'll know how much I love him. I pray for all of my family members, for your peace and protection over them.

I pray for Katharine, that she will feel Your peace, and that she will read Your book and get back to me.

I pray for the VBS skits I'm writing this week, that You would drive, and that Your words would bring the skits to life.

I am so worried about coming down with a cold or some other virus before Driftwood. Lord, I beg You to protect me from germs today and over the course of the week to come. Lord, I know that I've prayed this before, and that this isn't like a magic trick. I've gotten sick anyway. Lord, I still beg You this time to protect me from germs.

I pray that You will use me powerfully at Driftwood, leading the children with competence and kindness, providing a good example to them, listening to their concerns and helping them. I want to be Your emissary. Will You help me?

Please, Lord, I beg for Your divine protection and help. I pray that I'll be able to get enough sleep, especially the night before, but even if not, that You will use me anyway.

In Your son's precious name I pray,

Amen

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Lord, I am Yours. I can shake off my old self. I can figure out airfares to San Diego and Houston, and do it happily and willingly. The best way to spend money is to spend it on loving my family.

Thank you for my family! 

I pray that You would lead me forward. That You would love others through me.

I pray that Katharine will find time to sit and read Your book, not rushed, and that I will hear back from her soon, and that she will like Your book, love it.

I pray for Lee, that You would continue to work in his life to heal him physically, spiritually and emotionally.

I pray for Sara and her new baby Max, that she would feel You drawing her near to You.

I pray that You would pour Your blessings out on her and Andy, and on Mom and Dad this month while they are visiting them.

I pray for the health of Max, and that he would come to know You.

I pray that You would work on me, Lord. Fill me with Your love and patience!

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

Matthew 3:1-2

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

I am sorry for the way I am, everything about me, myself, my book. I talked to Katharine, and she's deeply upset by the sickness and soon to be death of her cousin, an atheist. 

Lord, there is nothing more important than our prayers for those we love. I pray now that Your spirit will rouse Katharine's cousin. If Katharine's a person through whom You might speak, I pray that you would soften her cousin's heart to her. My motives are not pure. They never are. I need to throw myself at Your mercy. I need to pull away from all this self-interest. I cannot do it myself. I need You to do it for me. Yesterday I prayed that You would do that, and I prayed for the next phase of this book to begin, and within hours I had a call from Katharine and some hope by looking on LinkedIn. Lord, I continue to pray for this, and I continue to pray that You will have me stand firm for You.

Katharine is a Christian like I'm a Christian. I pray that You'll guide her to read my book and see what You want to be in there, and what not.

I pray that she'll read my book earlier than even she thought she could, and I pray that You'll grant me patience to wait on Your timing.

I pray for the upcoming trip to Driftwood, that You would pour love into my heart for the children, and for the other parents. Thank You for providing Lisa to be with me--another gentle soul in the fray. Lord, I want to be my best so You can use me. Please show me the way.

I pray for my children, that they would develop a love for or even the self-control to do more piano practice.

I pray for Lee at work, who has to deal with the degradation of other people getting promoted while he doesn't. I pray for Your blessings upon him at work.

I pray for Isabel, that she would blossom as she grows and that she will thrive in middle school.

I pray that You will make me into a novelist who points people to You.

In Your son's holy and precious name I pray,
Amen

1 John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. — 1 John 3:1


Lord, You know me. You know my heart and my thoughts. I long to be Your spirit-filled child, and yet and yet I don't act like it. It doesn't come naturally to me.

Thank you for the book! Thank you. I know that this book is Your book, not mine, and that it came from You. I want to do what is right in Your eyes.

Lord, this is Your book. I'm not in charge of what/when/how this is going to move forward. You know my heart. I want this very badly. But I also want to be Your obedient child, and maybe that means waiting patiently on Your timing. 

I can worry that Katharine won't get back to me, that she didn't see my email, or is too busy or uninterested. Or, I can push those thoughts aside, and pray. Lord, I pray that You will use this book to reach others, and that You would show me how to just be still and know that I'm OK. I pray that You would calm my heart. I pray that You would redirect my gaze to You. Please show me what I am supposed to be doing. You are a lamp to my feet. 

I pray for the future editor I will have on this book, and for the publisher, and for great things! 

1 John 5: 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

John 3:14

 The Son of Man must be lifted up,f t  that everyone who believesu may have eternal life in him.”g


Lord, You are still here. You are leading me onward as I write Your book. I pray for the ideas to come swiftly, and that I might be done by Driftwood. But Your will and not mine, Lord. I have two weeks.

You are the ruler of my life. I pray that You would incline my heart to love Your people, and to remember who I am in You. I am a light in the world. I am to care for your sheep, and to spread the word about You. Lord, I pray that You would use me for that purpose.

I want a life of meaning and depth, in You.

I pray for Sara and Andy and little baby Max. I pray that they all three would be drawn close to You.

I pray the same for Dad and Mom and Terri.

I pray the my children would be covered in the blood of Jesus.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

Habakkuk 2:14

The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

I am Yours. Thank You for giving me the knowledge of Your glory. I'm feeble and don't get it completely, but i know enough.

I pray that You will change me, mold me to be more like Jesus.

I pray for the children today. I pray for Hope, for healing, and I pray that You would bless our classroom and enable me to handle whatever gets thrown at me.

I pray for Katie, Savannah, Elizabeth, London, Victor, Izzy, Joshua, Charlie, Howie, Kale, Ryder, Peyton, Hannah and the two I'm forgetting! Please help me to remember Your presence as I teach the class today.

In Your son's precious name I pray,
Amen

Hebrews 13:6

Hebrews 13:6 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

I am not focused. I pray for Your calming spirit to focus me. I long to be kind, patient, loving. I want to go out of my way to help people. I'm sorry that I haven't gone out of my way to help in Lily's science fair project, orchestrating with Katie's mother. 

I pray for Your book, that it comes together as You want it to, and that it gets done. Mom put a fire under me about how long it's taking, and about my plan going forward. Lord, what do You have to say about it? Please lead me forward, guide me in the way I should go. This book is for You and about You, and I pray that You would be in charge of it, not me. 

I pray for Lee, for blessings upon him at work. I pray that You would direct him, and that he would sense Your guiding.

I pray for Mary-Evelyn, who I'm meeting for lunch today. I pray for a spirit of peace and that You would bless her.

I pray for Sunflower Sisters tonight, that Laurel would continue to be drawn to You. I pray this for my children, too.

I pray for all of my sweet BSF children who I LOVE SO MUCH. I am so grateful to You for giving them to me. They are my joy. (Next to Isabel and Lily, of course.)

I pray that You would make it easy for me to share. Show me how to joyfully make sacrifices which are pleasing to You.

In Your son's precious name I pray,

Amen

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10

Lord I pray for Jamie Lupiani, for healing, for patience, for peace. You alone know Your plan for her, and how You're working in her life. I know nothing. But I know that I can pray for her, and that I can have an attitude of love. I pray also for the students in her class. I pray that I will deal with them lovingly, and that Your light will shine through me at Driftwood.

Please prepare my heart for that trip.

I pray that Mom and I will have a good lunch today, and that you will use me to minister to her in any way she needs. I pray also for Dad, that he won't feel left out. 

I pray for Lee at work, for blessings upon blessings to be heaped upon him. I pray that I will learn to trust You and lean on You in our financial situation. Please take away my fear and anxiety. I pray that when I start worrying about money, I will look to You.

Thank You for Your book so far. I pray that You will allow me to finish it soon, and strong, with everything You have to say.

In Your son's name I pray,
Amen

Deuteronomy 1:29

Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes."


Lord, it's on my heart to pray for Sara's baby today. I pray that her baby will grow to know You, and that You will draw both Sara and baby to You.

I pray that You would draw me too. I feel lost. Please draw me closer, so that I know You're there.

You say, Do not be terrified, do not be afraid, for the Lord your God, who is going before You, will fight for you. 

I am going to rest on that promise.

I pray that You will pour Your words and thoughts and message into Your book that I'm writing. I pray that my motives would be more pure, and that You would take control.

I pray for Lee, who needs Your help. I know that You have helped before, and I pray that he and I will both remain prayerfully dependent on You.

I pray for Lily and Isabel. Please bless them!

In Your son's precious name I pray,

Amen

Gen 1:27

Lord, please bless me with spiritual growth. I consciously submit myself to your Spirit as you transform me to be more like you each day.

I pray for Lee, for whatever's happening at work. I pray that the people around him will see his value. I pray that You would position him to be in a situation where he loves what he does, and excels at it. I pray Lord that setbacks will remind him that You are his source of strength, that You are in control of his work life, and that You are pleased to answer his prayers in Your name.

I pray for my book, Lord. I am heading into the home stretch of the first draft. I pray that You would lead me to uncover the spiritual truths You want me to hold up as the story comes to its climax. Lord I am weak, but You are strong. I know nothing, but You know everything. I am proud of my minuscule, pathetic accomplishments, but I could accomplish so much more by acknowledging that You're the one driving. It's Your book, Lord. I am motivated by all the wrong things. Please use me despite me. I know that You love me despite my swollen sense of self. You love me more than I know.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

psalm 91:14

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rocky and my Redeemer.

I am struggling, You know. I want to be reminded of who I am in You. I want to experience being transformed by You. But I am helpless on my own, and need You.

I pray for my BSF class today, sweet, sweet children all. I pray for Katie, Savannah, London, Holly, Elizabeth, Hannah, Kale, Ryder, Victor, Peyton, Izzy, Charlie, Howie, and the last one I can't think of!

I pray for Lee, for all that's happening at work. I pray that the people around him will recognize his value, and that they would reward him. I pray for Your blessing upon him at work.

I pray for Lily et. all as they try out for Tritt's Got Talent. Lord, I pray that You would protect them from ridicule, and that the experience would work out in a way that's pleasing to You.

Thank You, thank You, thank You for how Your book is flowing out of me. I pray that You would hem in my own selfishness, and continue to help me to remember that this is Your book, and I am writing it in Your service.

In Your son's name I pray,

Amen

Deuteronomy 1:21

See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. — Deuteronomy 1:21


Lord, You are mighty and all-powerful and trustworthy. Your mercies are new every morning. You guide me. Your promises are trustworthy. You tell me not to be afraid or discouraged. You are the center of my life.

I pray that You would fill me with these thoughts.

I pray that I would trust You in all things.

I pray that I would depend on You, and that I would extend your kindness and patience and mercy, with Your strength. This is truly what I want.

In Your son's precious name I pray.

Amen

Ephesians 1:17-20

I pray ... also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know ... his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead... — Ephesians 1:17-20



Are you on the other side of cyberspace, reading this as I write it? I felt angry and frustrated yesterday, around Christians who are...what? Gullible? Stubborn and inflexible in their belief? Frustrated at myself because I'm pulled back into negative thoughts. What does any of this have to do with You?

Everything, because it comes down to whether I believe in You, or not. Gullible dummies make me pull away from You. But why? I've read the Bible for myself. I am not immune to Your heartbreaking love, for Your (Jesus') death in place of me and all the people You created. Lord, help me to stick to that. Eyes on You.

Set your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in those who believe. I want this power. I want to be loving and not so insecure, and I want to reach out and help and love and care for the people around me. Please help me to do that today.

I pray for Your blessings on my BSF room today. Please bless Lynne and Hope and me as we teach the children about Your great power today. I pray for the children, for Izzy, for Kale, for Victor, for Charlie, for Joshua, for Howie, for Ryder, for Peyton, for Elizabeth, for Holly, for Savannah, for London, for Hannah, and for Katie.

Thank You for blessing me with these children. Please remind me to serve them through Your power and not my own.

In Your son's precious name,

Amen

Ephesians 1:14

We are sealed with the Holy Spirit. We have a divine inheritance. Jesus redeems us into our eternal home with bodies that will not grow old or decay.

Lord, You are sovereign and in charge. There is something wrong with this world, this broken world. But You have sealed me with Your Holy Spirit. 

I pray for Lee today. What does he need, Lord? I pray for that. I pray that You will show me what I should be doing for him.

I pray for my girls today. I pray that they would flourish at school, and I pray that You would use them to be a blessing to others. I pray that You would draw them closer to You.

Lord, please lead the way with Your book. I am tired and just want to follow.

In Your Son's name I pray

Amen

Col 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

You created the universe. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive what You have planned for those who love You. You are sovereign over all my circumstances. Everything  I have comes from You.

Lord, I want to be in Your will. Here is what's going on today.

I have to decide whether to have the roofer repair the leak for $450, or should I get a second estimate?

I have to work on Your book and get it done. I need another deadline, and to not blow this one.

I want to be in Your will.

I love the children in my BSF class. Thank You for them!